"So what'd you do?" Sam questions and he can tell by the clench in Dean's jaw that he needn't explain what he's talking about.

"What do you mean?" Dean asks with a voice that's too even. Sam rolls his eyes, like you don't know, he thinks. Dean keeps his eyes on the road in front of him.

"Well," Sam begins, purposely looking around the Impala, "Cas is nowhere to be seen so… what'd you do?"

Dean frowns, "What?! Do I have to spend every minute of the day with him?" He snaps, aware that he's being irrationally defensive but unable to control himself.

"You don't have to but you do," Sam responds.

"Well now I'm not, okay?" Dean barks.

"Yeah… which is why I want to know what you did," Sam tries to tread carefully.

"Why do you assume I did something, am I just that awful of a person?" Dean yells.

"No but you're just that thoughtless to screw up a good thing," Sam explains.

"What the hell would you know?" Dean snarls.

Sam just rolls his eyes, "I know that you've never been as happy as when you were dating Cas."

"You don't think I know tha-," Dean stops himself and spares a glance in Sam's direction, who's wearing a knowing expression. "How'd you know?" Dean almost whispers.

Sam almost smiles, "C'mon Dean… your face lights up just by looking at him."

Dean shifts uncomfortably, "I, uhh… I did not realise I do that."

"I did," Sam says.

"And you… you're… umm," Dean stutters.

"What?"

"Okay with… that," Dean finally spits out. Not that it matters now, with Cas gone Dean doesn't even know his own sexual orientation. He can't think of being with a girl or a guy because he only sees Cas, someone he'll never have.

Sam frowns, "What? Yes… Dean I would love you if you worshipped a leprechaun God and went to live on bubble-gum foo-foo island."

Dean almost cracks a smile, "Bubble-gum foo-foo island?" He asks.

Sam shrugs, "Or whatever you gays are into," he quips, earning him a well-deserved punch in the arm but Dean's laughing and Sam laughs back.

"Screw you, Sammy," Dean chuckles. He didn't think he could still laugh, trust Sammy to bring him light in his darkest hour.

"So… you've been hiding in your room all weekend… which I wouldn't think is weird if you weren't alone," Sam continues, "So… you're either sad or trying to hide that shiner from Bobby…"

Dean rolls his eyes, the bruise is almost gone now but it's still sensitive. It doesn't matter, Cas' wounds are worse… internal and otherwise.

"So… what'd you do?" Sam repeats.

"Again, why do you assume I did something?"

Sam purposely shrugs, "Call it a hunch," he says.

Dean chews his lips, "I fucked up," he admits, "and I can't do anything to fix it."

"Dean, Cas loves you," Sam reminds him, "he will forgive you."

Dean almost wants to cry. If only that were true, he thinks.

"No, Sammy," Dean implores, "you don't get it… there's no chance… I mean I really fucked up."

Sam goes quiet for a moment before speaking, "Do you want to tell me?" Dean just shakes his head, his eyes already welling at the thought of Cas. "Well, then… whatever it is… you obviously regret it."

"You have no idea… I hurt Cas trying to keep our relationship hidden but now I would gladly have the entire school know every little detail of our relationship if it meant I could have him." Sam says nothing, just listens, "little meaning that has now."

"Just make it right," Sam says, like it's so simple.

Dean slams his hand against the steering wheel in frustration, "I can't Sam, it's not that simple."

"Then do everything you can to get him back," Sam explains, "you can wallow in self-pity or do everything you can think of to make this right."

Wow, Dean thinks, when Sammy explains it, it really does seem simple.

Jo sees Dean pull up. She hadn't expected him to come to school today but, then again, she should've realised he'd be ensuring Sam's safe arrival. Jo runs over almost immediately. She'd spent the whole weekend trying to get in contact with Dean since he ran off Friday night. She'd felt so guilty about the serve she'd given him. What perfect, insensitive timing that was! If only she'd known.

"Dean," Jo calls as he gets out of the Impala and heads to the school.

"Hey," he says and Jo can see how destroyed he is. She regrets calling him all weekend, not thinking that Dean probably got his hopes up every time the phone rang, thinking it was Cas.

"Dean," she repeats, "about what I said…"

Dean just shakes his head, "I deserved it Jo… I should've known better… and I probably should've spoken to you earlier… then I would've told him myself."

"Dean…" Jo says softly, in her nurturing 'mother' voice, "I'm sorry about Cas… are you okay?"

Dean smiles but he can't even muster the energy to make it somewhat convincing, "I'll live." He says simply. I'll live, he thinks, maybe not happily but I'll live.

Jo gives him such a sympathetic look it makes Dean feel worse, "I'm here," she says and Dean lets her walk him to the school's front door. "Did you…" she begins cautiously, "did you talk to Cas?"

Dean nods and Jo knows it didn't go well.

"He can't forgive me," he explains solemnly, "he says there's nothing I can do to make it better because he'll never know what was real and what was fake." Dean paraphrases. It hurts him to confess but it also feels good to get off his chest.

"Dean… I'm-," Jo begins but Dean cuts her off.

"I know," is all he has to say.

Dean enters the hall. He'd expected to have to run into Cas eventually and, to be honest, he just wants to catch a glimpse of him. He hadn't expected to see him first thing. Dean's eyes automatically fall on Cas' locker until he realises that it's accompanied by a dark haired beauty. Cas turns his head and Dean's world tumbles around him as their eyes meet. Dean sees his own misery in those beautiful, blue eyes. Cas looks away quicker than Dean can. How's he supposed to win him back when Cas can't even stand to look at him?

"Fuck," he whispers, "I can't be here."

Jo doesn't even have the chance to respond before Dean disappears back out the doors. Jo can't stand to see Dean like this. So beautifully destroyed. She can tell he's thinking of everything, far from letting go of Cas. Dean fucked up, true, but Jo knows remorse when she sees it. Dean said Cas is hurt because he can't tell what was real and what was fake. If anyone can give Cas the insight into what really happened, it's Meg. She knows when it was made, how much information Dean shared and when Dean called it off. According to Dean, even from the start, he never said a thing to her. It's not going to fix Dean and Cas but it may give Cas some much needed piece of mind. And Dean wants that more than anything and Jo can't let him do it alone because, let's face it, Dean's useless.

Jo decides it's time for a manhunt. Or bitch-hunt, rather. She finally catches up with Meg at her locker. When Jo sees her, she gets so angry that she forgets that she was coming to ask her for a favour. Just as well, being nice would never work anyway. Jo smiles at the sight of the bright, white bandage taped over Meg's purple, broken nose.

"I don't know what it is, Meg," Jo begins, leaning against the locker as she watches Meg's entire body freeze, "but somehow, you've never looked as good as you do today."

Meg turns around to meet her cold, hard gaze with Jo's smug smile.

"Get away from me or I'll get a restraining order," Meg responds with a hard voice.

Jo fakes a pout, "Aw, I thought we were friends," she says.

Meg almost laughs, "Oh, honey… we've never been friends," she says in that horribly sweet voice.

"Just as well… I could never be friends with a snake," Jo retorts and Meg's smile disappears.

"Call me whatever you want, Jo…" Meg begins casually but Jo can see it bothers her, "I couldn't care less about your opinion."

"Is there anything you do care about?" Jo asks. "Besides yourself?"

Meg smiles tightly, "I care about myself because no one else is worth caring about."

Jo returns the sickening grin, "No, honey… You only care about yourself because no one else will."

Meg's glare turns murderous, "Go away, Jo," she snaps, attempting to keep her voice even, "you're boring."

"And you're a bitch," she retorts.

Meg sighs deeply, she's heard that so many times she's lost count, "Are you still mad about Friday? Is Dean still crying about everyone finding out he's gay?" Meg whispers.

"Don't," Jo warns.

Meg smiles but doesn't dare say it again. Even she knows that telling anyone else would be like signing her own death sentence. She would never admit to being scared of Jo, though.

"Don't worry," Meg smooths, "I'm guessing they're not a couple anymore so there'd be no point in spilling the beans… unless... Cas is even more pathetic than I thought and took Dean back."

"This isn't a fucking joke," Jo spits and the smile disappears from Meg's face, "You destroyed Dean's life."

"Why?! Because I told Cas the truth?" Meg asks, suddenly fuming, "No one else would have… I did him a favour… He deserved the truth."

"Don't, for one second, act like you give a shit about Cas," Jo begins, "you destroyed a couple for all the wrong reasons!"

"Cry me a river," Meg utters grimly.

Jo looks at Meg like she's truly disgusted, "Do you even care?" Jo asks, "What do you even get out of this? Surely you don't get off on ruining Dean's life."

Meg looks stumped for a moment before purposely rolling her eyes, "So he and his boyfriend broke up… I'd hardly call that ruining his life." Meg turns away to file her books into her locker, "Cancer… bankruptcy… getting fat, that's life ruining," she lists. Jo rolls her eyes at the conceited view on life, for the most part. Meg turns around to give Jo a self-satisfied smile. "Dean just lost a hot ride… If I do say so myself."

Jo chews her lip and crosses her arms, "I know you think trying to make it sound insignificant will ease your guilt but it won't."

Meg laughs, "That's cute."

Jo curses herself. Stupid to think she could appeal to Meg that way. No, Jo needs to make her mad. Meg only responds to people she's intimidated by. Right now, Jo's not a threat, Meg doesn't need her approval.

"I like the nose job," Jo states smugly.

"Thanks, you should get one," Meg responds before winking, "fix that train wreck of a thing you've got." Meg gestures to Jo's face.

Jo smiles, "You're going the right way for a second one," she quips.

"You touch me again, Harvelle," Meg warns, "and I'll destroy you."

Jo rolls her eyes, "What can you do to me, Meg?" Jo tempts, "You lost your leverage when you exposed Dean."

Meg scoffs, "There's plenty more where that came from," she grins.

"You're lying, Meg… everyone can see through your bullshit… stop trying, it's pathetic."

"Go to hell," Meg snips glumly and Jo can sense that she's getting to her. Before Meg can storm off, Jo has her by the bicep.

"If you have any shred of humanity in you, you'll go to Cas and fix this," Jo pleads.

Meg makes a face like Jo's crazy and rips her arm away, "Like it would help," she dismisses and makes to walk away but Jo stops her again.

"It might," she says. Meg gives her a long, meaningful look before walking away.

Meg can't stand the looks so she heads to the library, where there are less menacing eyes. It's not just Ash and Jo giving her a hard time, everyone's been staring at her still-healing nose. Damn Jo and her fierce right hook. Meg's done some mean things in her lifetime but this is the cherry on top. She doesn't know why she does it. Jo's right, she is guilty but being mean is power and it's hard to say no to power. But once it's gone, Meg's left feeling empty and sad. Meg has two things she's good at: being a bitch and sex. The two are surprisingly similar. Before it happens and while it's happening, Meg's in power but when it's over, she has nothing. Despite how horrible the nothing is, she can never say no to it. That's how you end up being a horrible person, like Meg.

Meg hopes to spend the afternoon wallowing in her own misery in peace but that changes when a familiar tan trench coat enters the library.

"For fuck's sake," Meg whispers, turning away so that she doesn't have to look at him. "What's with that goddamn trench coat?"

Meg spares another guilty glance in his direction but he hasn't noticed her yet. He heads to a single desk and slumps down in a chair. Meg notices that he looks pale, washed out, almost… sick. He has stubble on his chin that's more overgrown than normal, he's wearing a tie that's askew and has big, purple bags under his eyes. He looks completely broken. Maybe she did ruin lives. How can some high school romance be that important to two people? Meg wouldn't know anything about love like that. Come to think of it, Meg wouldn't know anything about love.

Meg sighs, "Fuck Jo," she whispers before standing up to head over to the single desk occupied by the heartbroken man. The man she ruined.

Cas' eyes flash up to her as she approaches and Meg sees the look in his eyes change. He goes from completely blank to irritated in a micro second. Meg almost considers turning around and walking away but she doesn't, she's come this far.

"Come to torment me further?" Cas snipes and Meg feels wounded.

"No," Meg responds. She can't help but fidget. She's so good at being mean, being nice makes her nervous.

"Then what?" Cas continues rudely as he stares out the window. He doesn't notice Meg's unusual behaviour, "Just come to revel in the glory of your triumph?"

His words hurt but Meg knows she deserves it. Wow, this kid can lay the guilt on thick. Meg wonders if he does it purposely or if it's a natural thing. She also wonders if he's the kind of person to want to live in ignorance rather than feel the pain of the truth.

"Would you rather I have said nothing?" She asks, her voice vacant of her usual venom.

Cas breaks a smile but there's no humour there. It's empty.

"I don't think you understand, Megan," Cas says her name like it tastes like poison in his mouth. "My dismay is not in regards to what but how."

Meg frowns, confused, "What?" She asks. She's been around Castiel for two minutes and already hates it, for the same reason she tries not to spend too much time around Charlie. Next to Ruby, Garth, Ash, Jo and Dean, Meg's the smart one and knowledge is power. Next to people like Charlie and Cas, Meg's shown for what she really is: mediocre.

It doesn't make her feel any better when Castiel rolls his eyes at her ignorance.

"I needed to know but you didn't need to tell me," he quips, "especially not-," Cas begins but he's cut off.

"Do you really think Dean would've told you?" She highlights.

Cas exhales but continues to stare away from Meg, "Of course not," he admits sadly, although it doesn't show. Even hearing his name hurts. "But revealing Dean and myself… and exposing my pain for everyone to see… well, that was just mighty sadistic of you."

There's something about Cas' completely emotionless tone, it makes the power of his words so much stronger.

Even in his darkest hours, Cas has never been so openly rude. It's strange how being with Dean brought out a brazen side to him that he never knew existed. Now that Dean's gone, it's like he opened a floodgate in Cas that he can't shut.

"Yeah… I know," Meg admits like she can't help it. Usually, this is the part where she gets defensive and tries to justify her actions to make herself feel better but not this time. There's something unexplainable about Cas. Meg can understand why Dean became so different.

"What is it that you want, Meg?" Cas asks, still not looking at her.

Meg exhales deeply, "To make things right," she admits.

Cas actually chuckles but it's empty of humour again, he finally looks Meg straight in the eyes, "As much as I don't like you and think you're an awful person…" Cas ignores her flinch, "that's not up to you… this has nothing to do with you, Megan," Cas says and Meg can't look away from his compelling, blue eyes. "Just because you forced yourself in the middle, doesn't mean you're involved in my business."

"I know," Meg agrees, "but that doesn't mean I can't help."

Silence hangs in the air for a long moment, "Leave me alone," Cas finally says.

Meg considers leaving. At least I tried, she thinks but she doesn't walk away. No, she thinks, that's a cope out.

"No," Meg says simply and Cas doesn't react. "Just give me a chance, I may be able to help."

"Okay…" Cas begins, finally showing his irritation, "one: why do you want to help? In our limited time together, I've gathered that you're not really the helping type… And two: what can you possibly do to help? There's nothing you can do to make any of this better… you're wasting your breath."

"I can't make up for what Dean did but I can offer peace of mind." Cas just looks at her and she feels obligated to continue, "And I…" Meg searches for the right words… feel guilty? Yes, but that's happened before and she's never done this. "I fucked up… I've never hurt someone so bad before."

"My heart goes out to you," Cas mutters sarcastically. It's just enough to send Meg over the edge.

"You know what… forget it," Meg mutters and makes to walk away but she stops again and turns back around, this time getting closer to Cas, "No… fuck that," she mutters, "if there's ever a way to truly know how Dean was playing this bet, it's through me… You want closure or comfort, you got it… all you have to do is ask."

Cas considers her words. What if this is a trick and she's just setting him up for more hurt? After all, it's not like he's been recently proven that he has reason to trust. Even if she is just going to tell him what he wants, what if it makes it worse?

He sighs as he realises that it doesn't matter how he deliberates, his curiosity will get the better of him.

"There must be a catch," Cas says simply, "what do you want?"

"To clear my conscious."

Cas rubs his unshaven chin, deliberating, "Tell me everything," he says.

Meg pulls over a chair to sit across from Cas. He stares at her, waiting expectantly. Meg notices that he's clearly more hopeful than he probably wishes to look. He's staring, waiting for her to talk, Meg realises that she probably should.

"So… it was my idea in the first place," Meg begins, "I challenged him because I was sick of his arrogance… he thinks he's so irresistible."

Cas almost smiles, "Yeah… it's probably because he is," he says.

Meg almost laughs, "Yeah, well… I thought that either two things would happen: he'd get you and I could make fun of him for acting gay-,"

Cas flinches, "What? Are you homophobic?"

Meg shakes her head, "Not at all… but Dean Winchester with a guy has certain comical value," Cas looks at Meg like he doesn't appreciate the humour, Meg ignores it, "or he would get rejected and that would be even more satisfying."

"But?" Cas prompts eagerly. Meg notices that Cas is basically hanging off her every word. He's waiting for the truth. Now it's time for Meg to tell him that Dean never a said a word to her. He'd mentioned when he started laying groundwork but otherwise, he'd been silent and it wasn't long after that he'd broken off the bet. It's the truth and the truth could send Cas back to Dean.

But only Meg can make that happen, only Meg has the information to set Cas free. The familiar feeling calls to Meg, she has the power to destroy Cas worse than she ever has. Meg's heart begins to race. She has a choice and it comes down to this moment: change and do the right thing or fall into old patterns.

"But nothing," Meg shrugs, "I got the advantage of the former and ruined Dean."

Cas frowns, "And the bet?" He prompts.

Meg sighs, feeling the familiar urge rise up. She wonders if this is how serial killers feel, you know… other psychopaths. Who is she kidding? People never change, "Dean told me every little detail and then I paid him a hundred when he banged you." Meg almost sees Cas' heart break again but she can't control her words. It's like she's compelled to not only hurt him, but completely destroy. "And then he gave me the hundred back to keep my mouth shut," Meg pauses to look pensive, "which I should probably give back now, I guess." Meg realises that Cas' lids have fallen over his eyes as he stares blankly at the desk in front of him.

"Thank you," Cas says emotionlessly.

Meg smiles and taps him on the back of the hand in an attempt to comfort him but Cas pulls away like her touch burns, "At least you know he cared enough to try and cover his tracks, honey." Meg stands and walks away.

Good one, Meg's conscious thinks, you not only have to hurt him but now you're pouring salt over his wounds?

Meg even has the malice to smile, "Who am I kidding?" She whispers, "I live for this stuff."

Cas wonders if he can physically take any more pain. He'd ditched class because he couldn't stand to be in the same room as Dean and now he would gladly take that if he could take back what he'd just heard. He should've known better than to trust that Meg was trying to do a good thing.

"I thought I'd find you here," Jo interrupts Dean's train of thought.

Dean stares out at the open field, "I want to be left alone, Jo," he says.

"Too bad," she dismisses him, "get off your arse and do something."

"It's not that easy," he says.

"Do I need to get Sam up here to kick start you?" She asks.

Dean bites his lip. Both he and Jo know that Sam's his weakness. That kid's meant to be a lawyer, he knows exactly what to say to Dean. Hell, this morning he had him convinced that he should be trying to win back Cas, but that was before he saw his face.

"Get lost," Dean grumbles.

"No," Jo says fiercely as she crosses her arms over her chest, "Just go and talk to him."

"He doesn't want to talk to me," Dean snaps.

"I don't care," Jo practically yells, "I'm not letting you do nothing, Dean!"

"Why are you so committed to seeing me suffer?" Dean yells back, "Cas can't even look at me! I can't take his rejection again, Jo."

"Dean," Jo says softly, deciding to change her tactics, "I know you're hurting… but if you don't try… you'll hurt Cas."

Dean frowns, "What?"

"What is Cas gonna think when you don't even try to get him back?" She points out, "You have to at least try… or you'll hate yourself forever."

Dean chews his lip, "I hate you sometimes," he grumbles before standing up and heading back to school.

Cas looks up and stops. Dean's waiting for him by his locker. He considers turning around and walking away but he knows he has to face Dean sooner or later. He bravely makes it to his locker.

"Dean," he acknowledges curtly.

"Cas," Dean begins and there's an ache in his tone, "I… I…"

"What, Dean?" Cas prompts.

"I want to talk,"

"I'm all ears," Cas says begrudgingly.

"I want you back," he blurts out.

Cas sighs, "I'll see you later, Dean," he says quickly before walking away.

"Wait," Dean calls, reaching out to pull Cas back, "I know I don't deserve it…"

"Damn right," Cas snaps and he hates the hurt expression on Dean's face, "I just want to be left alone, Dean."

"I can't do that," Dean explains and, as he says it, he knows it's true, "As long as there's a miniscule chance that we can work this out… I'm gonna keep trying."

Cas bites his lips, "You don't understand, Dean," he begins, "there's no chance."

Dean swallows, "I don't believe that," he admits. "I can't let this go."

Cas shuts his eyes, almost in annoyance, "You're wasting your time."

Cas storms off and Dean is left to realise that they'd just had a very public, heated argument. Everyone in the hall is currently looking at Dean but he can't summon the ability to care.

The next few days are quite possibly the worst of Dean's life. He makes as many attempts as he can think of, like Sam insisted but he realises that constant rejection really takes its toll. He started simple, leaving Cas letters in his locker, telling him how much he loves him and wants him back and how he'll do anything but it doesn't work. Dean isn't good with words, especially love letters but his writing talent isn't the problem. He's watched Cas find them once or twice and he immediately throws them out, he doesn't even read them.

Dean's also tried leaving gifts but, let's face it, Dean's a little hopeless with this stuff. He knows how to woo girls; chocolates, jewellery and roses, Cas is a little different. He's left balloons attached to Cas' locker, but that only seemed to embarrass him. He spent all the extra money he has on a few early editions of Cas' favourite books and sent them to his house, but God only knows what happened to them with Gabriel there. He knows most of his attempts are pretty empty of sentiment but he doesn't know how else to go about it and he's running out of options. He needs guidance. Dean goes to Sam for help, goodness knows he and Jess have had some ups and downs.

He finds Sam studying in his room.

"Hey," Sam greets, "how goes the mission to get Cas back?"

Dean exhales and moves to collapse on Sam's bed, "Awful."

"I hope you're not giving up after three days," Sam says.

Dean grunts, "Well… What else can I do?" He asks his kid brother.

"Well… what have you done so far?" Sam asks.

Dean exhales, "Uhh… letters… gifts… as far as I can tell he just throws them out."

Sam snorts, "Dean, that's not gonna do it."

"Well?" Dean prompts, starting to get a little frustrated and sitting up, "Then help me!" Dean cries desperately, at the brink of his breaking point, "I need help or I'm gonna… I don't know."

Sam sighs, "Dean… just use your head."

Dean just stares at Sam blankly, "Thank you… you've been very helpful." He says sarcastically.

Sam rolls his eyes, "Well… you said that you would gladly have the whole school know about you and Cas if it meant you could be together."

"Yeah?"

"Did you mean it?"

"Of course," Dean clarifies, like he's offended by the question.

"Well, then… prove that to Cas."

Sam's words cause a plan to formulate in Dean's head almost immediately.

"Thanks, Sam," he says before leaving him alone to study.

Dean sees Cas walk into the cafeteria and he practically leaps from his seat. He'd been anxious about this since he decided to do it yesterday, but the time had to be perfect. Now, the moment had finally arrived. Dean is already in his face before Cas can join the lunch line.

"Dean, what do you want?" Cas asks.

Dean tries to ignore the obvious fact that Cas doesn't want his company but he's getting used to that.

Dean shrugs, "To talk," he says.

Cas rolls his eyes, "We've talked, Dean," he begins, his voice layered thick in annoyance, "I'm done talking to you."

"Well, then… we don't have to talk," Dean quips, "we can make out instead."

Dean grins. It takes all of Cas' willpower not to smile back. He hates that Dean still has the ability to make him laugh at his stupid jokes.

"Dean," Cas begins and he accidently lets a little smile sneak into his voice and Dean sees it.

"God, I've missed your smile," Dean grins.

Cas shakes his head, "Dean… please," he continues, removing his grin.

"C'mon Cas… I want to show you how much you mean to me," Dean continues, "how much I want you back." Cas just raises his eyebrows at Dean, boredom evident in his face. "Just kiss me once… please."

Cas looks outraged, "Don't be ridiculous," he says quickly.

"I'm serious," Dean implores, "just one kiss, Cas… in front of everyone… I want to prove that I don't care what anyone thinks… I just want you."

Cas gives Dean a look like he's questioning his sanity, "Are you high?"

Dean frowns, "No," he says, taken back, "of course not."

"Well then, you're crazy," Cas decides before finally evading Dean and walking away. Dean snags his trench coat and Cas stops, sighing.

"Cas… please," Dean begs. Cas turns around to face him. "I want to do this… I need to do this… I need to show you that I don't care what these people think."

"And then what?" Cas asks, digging his hands in his pockets, "You think this will get me back?"

Dean sighs, this isn't going at all like he was hoping, "I'm just trying to make it right… I want you to know that I will gladly let everyone see us kissing if it means I can possibly be with you."

"Dean," Cas says seriously, "there's no possibly… I appreciate what you're trying to do but it's a lost cause."

"Cas…" Dean pleads, "Please… just let me do this."

Cas sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger, "Dean… none of this matters because I'm not kissing you." Cas finally looks up and his eyes look tired, "End of story."

Cas turns as if to walk away but he stops at the sound of Dean's voice.

"Fine," Dean says quickly, "I'll do it on my own."

Cas frowns and turns around to face Dean, who's got that look like he's about to do something crazy. Without warning, Dean leaps up onto one of the occupied tables.

"Dean," Cas cautions, "what… what are you doing?" He hisses, fearing that Dean's about to do something embarrassing.

"Proving something," he retorts.

"Dean!" Cas hisses but Dean ignores him as he turns to face the cafeteria, a few faces staring at him.

"HEY!" Dean calls at the top of his lungs and the entire room turns towards the noise. A random guy calls out 'Winchester' in encouragement. Dean gives him an appreciative wave. "I have an announcement to make."

Someone calls out a less than supportive comment and Dean barks at him to shut up, silencing the whole populace. Dean could put the fear in anyone at this school.

"As you all know… my name is Dean Winchester," he begins, "most of you know me as a famous ladies man… what can I say, I have wicked game…" some guy hoots but Dean looks unimpressed, "but what you don't know is that I'm in the closest."

The crowd's noise level turns from minimal to deadly.

"Dean, what the hell are you doing?" Cas hisses.

"That's right," Dean begins, "I'm gay!"

"Fag!" Someone calls and laughter erupts.

Dean points into the crowd at the culprit, "You say that again, Roman and I'm gonna come over there and kick your ass!" The room falls silent again. Dean adjusts his jacket, "You see this guy," Dean points to Cas. Cas blushes at the sight of all those eyes on him and covers his face.

"Oh my God," he whispers to himself.

"He's the greatest person in the world," Dean begins and Cas uncovers his face to watch Dean. "I'm totally in love with Castiel Novak…"

Cas bites his lip at Dean's public confession.

"Not only am I totally in love with this guy…" Dean continues, "he has me completely and utterly whipped."

Cas stifles a smile chuckle but his smile doesn't last long. The love of his life is publically acknowledging their homosexual relationship to the entire population of their high school and Cas doesn't know how to feel. He wants to take Dean and kiss him in front of everyone but he can't. He yearns to forgive Dean, every single inch of him yearns for Dean.

"Now you can go back to your own business," Dean says before gracefully stepping down off the table.

Dean's eyes find Cas' and there's tears in them. Dean's heart lips into his chest. He got through to Cas.

Cas looks sad and happy, it's a strange look, "I'm sorry," he whispers, breaking Dean's heart with only a few words before walking away and leaving the cafeteria.

I'm sorry to leave you hanging again but the next chapter will be up within the next few days, scout's honour.